Jaws (1975)

In the vastly overrated 1998 book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, author Peter Biskind puts the blame for Hollywood's blockbuster mentality at least partially on Steven Spielberg's box-office success with this adaptation of Peter Benchley's bestselling novel. But you can't blame Spielberg for making a terrific movie, which Jaws definitely is. The story of a Long Island town whose summer tourist business is suddenly threatened by great-white-shark attacks on humans bypasses the potboiler trappings of Benchley's book and goes straight for the jugular with beautifully crafted, crowd-pleasing sequences of action and suspense supported by a trio of terrific performances by Roy Scheider (as the local sheriff), Richard Dreyfuss (as a shark specialist), and particularly Robert Shaw (as the old fisherman who offers to hunt the shark down). The sequences on Shaw's boat--as the three of them realize that in fact the shark is hunting them--are what entertaining moviemaking is all about. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com essential video

A classic that you must own.

I remember the old timers saying, people were afraid to go in the ocean after this movie.
The ocean???
I was scared to go in the swimming pool!!!!!!
A brilliant must see movie.
The shark is just menacing.
Spielberg couldn't have done a better job of bringing all of our fears about "the deep" to the screen.
Brilliant acting, a fast paced script, and awesome FX make this one of the best horror, action movies of all time.
Highly recommended!!!
June 23, 2008

It's JAWS - what more do you need to know?

I had read somewhere that this has few if any different extra features when compared to previous editions. That might be true, but since I didn't have those and this was the most current edition, I am just fine with the extras. I am also just fine with a classic modern thriller told as a fish-tale. June 16, 2008

Been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I can't even remember the first time I saw Jaws. I know I was little; probably four or five years old. I still have a picture of my dad trying to lure me into the ocean in Wildwood, NJ with me in my Smurfs shirt and a look of dread on my face visible through the tears streaming out of my squinting eyes. My dad with a michievous grin on his face. God love him.

I don't remember seeing Jaws for the first time, but I remember what I was thinking in that picture vividly. It's just one of those seemingly inconsequential childhood moments that sticks with you into adulthood, you now? I was thinking: "Jaws" is out there and I don't want him to get me. My parents allowed me to watch Spielberg's pop masterpiece at a very young age for some demented reason and I've been afraid to go into the ocean ever since. This movie had that effect on a lot of kids my age. Heck, it had that effect on a lot of adults at the time. After Jaws became a blockbuster hit, Great White sharks were fast becoming an endangered species (and still are to this day).

This movie effected me in such a way that I wasn't allowed to watch another scary movie until I reached double digits, but I still went over to friends' houses to watch the latest and greatest slice n' dice slasher movie. While I'm well over the fear of Freddy and Jason now, I'm still scared of sharks. And it's all because of this stupid movie. This glorious, stupid movie.

I've seen Jaws countless times and have yet to grow tired of it. The cast is perfect, especially Robert Shaw (who always reminded me of my Uncle Jimmy, a guy who loved to fish). Steven Spielberg amps up the magic he weaved with the made-for-TV Duel with a bigger budget to it's breaking point, but never falters and makes this baby flawlessly paced throughout the course of two hours. And then there's John Williams' score, the official theme song to fast approaching dorsal fins.

I purchased the original Anniversary DVD when it came out, but snagged this newer 2-disc version up about a year ago just for the original mono soundtrack (the purist geek in me). It also restores the complete making-of documentary, which was shortened on the first DVD release. A solid disc that's worth the upgrade if you haven't done so already. A shameless double dip, but come on! It's Jaws! It's probably the final word on standard DVD until the BluRay version comes out anyway, so take the plunge.

I've seen a lot of movies in my life and I still have a lot more to discover. Through it all, Jaws continues to endure. A timeless movie that's still every bit as suspenseful as the first time I saw it (if only I could remember!). June 7, 2008

Classic Suspense Flick That Should Be Seen By All Movie Lovers

I waited a long time to watch the classic film JAWS because I always heard it was so scary and full of gore. I finally watched it this week and though the movie did make me jump a couple of times the images of blood and guts are about the same if not milder than what you would see on a typical CSI episode. The film is a true landmark in the horror genre mostly because the three main characters (the marine biologist, the police chief and the shark hunter) are so well developed with complete back stories and very well portrayed by fine actors. The plot of the story is rich in themes that go well beyond the man vs giant toothy sea monster we usually think of when someone mentions the film JAWS or hums the trademark theme song. JAWS has truly earned a lasting position in our popular culture. June 6, 2008

Summer Kick-off

The 1st and the best of the Jaws movies produced. Steven Spielberg made his bones with this flic. For me, the summer season doesn't start until
I've watched Jaws. June 2, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...